The move comes after three years of campaigning by the Daily Record to end the humiliating disability benefit testing regime.

The handling of tests for Personal Independence Payments has been riddled with controversy since the Tories decided to scrap the old Disability Living Allowance system in 2012.

Charities claim people applying for help to live independently suffer from delays, unfair dismissal of claims and confusion over eligibility.

But control over benefits for the disabled is set to be transferred to the Scottish Parliament as part of the enhanced devolution settlement.

And in a major victory for campaigners, Sturgeon, left, will this week unveil plans for a more compassionate system north of the Border.

The SNP’s Holyrood manifesto, which will be launched on Wednesday, will contain five central pledges to transform benefits for the disabled. They say they will:

●Reform assessment procedures to end the stress caused to those with long-term illnesses, disabilities or conditions.

●Introduce long-term awards for existing long-term conditions that are unlikely to change.

●Set clear timescales for conducting assessments and making decisions in respect of the benefits being devolved.

●Create a transparent and accessible appeals process – with guaranteed timescales for decisions – with a guarantee claimants can access information on how to appeal.

●Ensure disability benefits will not be means tested.

Sturgeon said: “The Tory Government’s treatment of disabled people over the last few years has been disgusting.

“The Tories’ whole approach has been to stigmatise and intimidate some very vulnerable people and their only guiding principle has been to save money.

“By contrast, the SNP Government’s guiding principles will be dignity and respect – using the new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament to create a fairer system.

“Under the SNP, disability benefits will remain universal and will not be means tested.

“We’ll make the assessments system more transparent, with people given a clear idea of what to expect.

“And for those with long-term conditions, we’ll introduce long-term awards.

“This is the right way for a Government to treat their citizens and by re-electing me as First Minister on May 5, the people of Scotland can choose to start a whole new era for people living with disability.”

The system will be guided by a new Disability Benefits Assessment Commission, who will provide guidance on how often assessments should be, what conditions should be given automatic or lifetime awards, and eligibility criteria.

Sturgeon has already said a new Social Security Agency will be created to deliver the benefits being devolved. Holyrood will be responsible for around £2.7billion of welfare payments – about a quarter of welfare spending outside the state pension.

Ministers will also be given the ability to top up existing payments and create new benefits – but the cash will have to be raised in Scotland.

The Nationalists’ pledge comes after we revealed French firm Atos were set to make £40million from the Scottish contract for PIP assessments.

The firm became infamous for carrying out the Government’s fit-for-work tests but later dropped out following a storm of protest. They are continuing to do the PIP assessments north of the Border.

The SNP’s proposed changes have already won the backing of campaigners.

John Downie, director of public affairs for the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, welcomed the proposals. He added: “They show the SNP sticking to the Scottish Government’s very clear principle that a devolved benefits system should be underpinned by real human values like dignity and respect.

“Anything that sees people in receipt of benefits being treated as individuals and not some faceless number in a database can only be good.

“We also welcome the commitment to transparency, as this is one of the Scottish third sector’s big asks from the next government.”